Yesterday, I woke up early (6:30 a.m.) to prepare spending the entire day out of town helping some family members pack. I was without internet and email access the entire day. Truth be told, I love days like that. When I returned to PDX and checked my emails, I noticed I had one from a very special place/thing. I was a little nervous to see what it was, as I have been waiting 1 1/2 weeks to receive news, good or bad. To my dismay, the email simply contained a PDF to download, and since I wasn't on my own computer I had to wait till we were once again reunited.
I ended up going to a free show at Berbati's with GS. We stayed for 2 out of the 3 bands (due to the Blazer game, the concert didn't start till around 10 p.m.). I liked the bands, as I knew I would. Just a shame that the crowd attendance was uber weak. GS and I were probably the only people there that were not associated with one of the bands.
Anyways, upon returning home, I remembered I had that special email I needed to download. I was hesitant, knowing that if it was not what I wanted to hear, then I would have a bad end to the night. But if lucky, I knew it could easily turn into something even more wonderful. I contemplated saving it till morning, but realized that I just couldn't wait. Hey, I'm an only child o.k., I have no patience. When the download opened, this is what happily awaited my bright eyes:
'You wanted to be in 12.
Now you’re in for it.
Almost.
We plucked your entry and 21 others from over 250 applications, and we’d love to meet you.....'
Yep, GOOD NEWS all around. There's more, but for the sake of privacy, and not releasing too much out of the bag just yet, I'll spare the details, for now.
Long story short, I've been saying that if something big doesn't happen career wise for me in PDX soon, then there would be absolutely nothing holding me back from picking up and leaving as soon as I could. So ladies and gentlemen, this news, could most definitely be that big career thing. And although I am not there quite yet, I'm close. Closer than most could ever dream about, and I couldn't be happier. Yes, my life is soon to change, and, with my belief in the Universe always granting what you want, that maybe, just maybe, I'll make it after all. Recognition has come (in the form of interest), and although it feels extremely good, it just doesn't seem real yet. I keep repeating through my mind 'Really? I'm THAT good? Nah, I don't know about that.' All I can say, is it brings a smile to face, and what more could you ask for. I'm finally really excited for what the future holds. I knew this year would be good! Cross your fingers for me, please.
Completely changing the subject 180 degrees, I joined a gym today. Yep, I am determined to be a regular and get back into good shape. The Universe is calling.... It's time to get wickedly toned! I'll be starting my intense, at least 3/4 days a week workout plan (it's in my head) tomorrow morning, bright and early, at 9:30 for Quickfit Step. God, I love aerobics. Friday I plan to go to the Re-action Cycling class at 5:30 a.m. That's pushing it as far as a.m. wise (I've never been a morning person), but I figure, I'll give it a try. It I just can't cut it that early in the morning, I'll attend the evening classes.
I also got a call from my Aunt tonight that Kings of Leon will be in town. Score. They will be playing at the Rose Garden. Bummer! With age, I prefer smaller, more personal concerts. But oh well, should be a good show. They sound like a wild whiskey drinking southern boys always down for a good time. Just my type of people. Rock on! Let's hope those 15 year olds don't rush and sell out the concert before I get a chance to buy 2 tickets.
Speaking of my Aunt, she told me yesterday about a video series I had to check out :Green Porno. I know how it sounds, but hell, this video series by Isabella Rossellini is absolutely amazing. Everything, besides herself, is made from paper. I'm especially fascinated with the entire process of how she decides what animal/insect sex lives to follow, right down to the concepts, design, making and follow through. Check out all the videos on the Sundance website.
I like to stay current with design news and trends, and the other day I came upon this video. New Zealands take on London design. I found it quite amusing. A city I love, and will always be near and dear to my heart, London, and a place I've been itching to go to for awhile, and hoping for this winter, New Zealand. Notice the W+K reference....
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Sunny Day
In the wake of the sun finally starting to show itself on a more regular basis, and with the noticeably rad natural light, I thought it was due time to have a mini self photo shoot. Here is the result: 
Happy Birthday Miss Lily Bean!
Yep, one year ago, my lovable and sweet Lily Bean was born. Exactly 8 weeks prior to taking her home. If given the opportunity, she would be mine solely. Alas, she belongs in full to my Dad, whom I picked her out to protect and take care of. But that doesn't change the fact of our close knit bond to one another. A month or so ago, I was, un-benounced to me, initiated into the 'dog park pack' circle, when Lily jumped on my back and insisted I be her playmate for the remaining stay there. Apparently, that was a first for everyone there to see. Hmmm.... Am I the next dog whisperer?
In honor of Lily Beans day of entrance into this world, I am honoring her with a photo and video montage of the past 10 months of her life in my family (sans 3 months when I was in London).
June 3, 2008 Puppy pick out. 10 puppies, one choice. Glad we had first pick. From the first moment I picked her up, I new she was the one "I" wanted. I refused to put her down until my Dad agreed that she was 'the one'.
June 14-15, 2009 Coming home weekend. She loved being held by her chest and having her back legs sway while you held her. She also adored Prince, The Spoiled Pomeranian. Sadly, he was attacked and killed by coyotes in the west hills. R.I.P.
July 6, 2008 Learning to love the camera.
July 20, 2008 Growing her main and loosing the 'puppy' fur.
February 21, 2009 I leave for London, and when I return, Lily's a dog! One who loves going to the dog park and long hikes.
March 1, 2009 Happy 60th Birthday Dad!
March 29, 2009 Waiting for Dad. Lily is turning into such a lovely dog.
In honor of Lily Beans day of entrance into this world, I am honoring her with a photo and video montage of the past 10 months of her life in my family (sans 3 months when I was in London).
June 3, 2008 Puppy pick out. 10 puppies, one choice. Glad we had first pick. From the first moment I picked her up, I new she was the one "I" wanted. I refused to put her down until my Dad agreed that she was 'the one'.
June 14-15, 2009 Coming home weekend. She loved being held by her chest and having her back legs sway while you held her. She also adored Prince, The Spoiled Pomeranian. Sadly, he was attacked and killed by coyotes in the west hills. R.I.P.
July 6, 2008 Learning to love the camera.
July 20, 2008 Growing her main and loosing the 'puppy' fur.
February 21, 2009 I leave for London, and when I return, Lily's a dog! One who loves going to the dog park and long hikes.
March 1, 2009 Happy 60th Birthday Dad!
March 29, 2009 Waiting for Dad. Lily is turning into such a lovely dog.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Looking To The Past
A while ago I ran into some of my old work. It was interesting to analyze it and remember way back when to when I was working on those particular pieces. From as long as I can remember, I have always been incredibly attached to my work, even to the point of making my parents purchase the pieces back for charity. Don't ya just love Catholic school fundraisers? Anyways, sometimes you need to look back to see where you were, what you've done, how far you've come and the potential that you posses some creative ability. Yes, slumps blow, and creative searching for inspiration is often needed. Mine today, has been looking to the past.
Circa 1993, 10 years old. Even from a young age I was conscience of equality. Check out the Eskimos and the the Eskimos yo-yo in their hands. I was enthralled with their culture at a young age and adored going to the Arctic Museum on the WOU campus where Paul Jensen was my personal tour guide and offend took pieces out of the display cases to show me how they worked. It was a favorite past time. Oh, and yes, this piece is one I did while at Catholic school, where I made my parents buy it back because I liked it so much. HA! What a child I was...
At a young aged I learned how to be a master copier. I remember liking a particular Matisse piece one afternoon and decided that that was what I wanted to draw. The first imagine I started with water colors. The proportions weren't right, and I got frustrated (yes, I've always been a perfectionist), so I moved to pencil and color pencil. I thought it turned out better that way. Now, the rejected one and the final are framed and hung next to each other. I like it that way.
Circa age 20. Ah, college and the required classes. Below is one of the first 'typographic' pieces I ever did. The class was Intro to Typography, and everything had to be done by hand. Color pencils used to be a good friend of mine. I will always love this piece.
I believe the sketch below was from an Advanced Life Drawing class. I remember we had to do a series of three 20 min. sketches. This was one of them. It's interesting looking at pieces and always getting the same reaction. The piece below always makes me want to take a life drawing class, just for the hell of it.
Circa 1993, 10 years old. Even from a young age I was conscience of equality. Check out the Eskimos and the the Eskimos yo-yo in their hands. I was enthralled with their culture at a young age and adored going to the Arctic Museum on the WOU campus where Paul Jensen was my personal tour guide and offend took pieces out of the display cases to show me how they worked. It was a favorite past time. Oh, and yes, this piece is one I did while at Catholic school, where I made my parents buy it back because I liked it so much. HA! What a child I was...
At a young aged I learned how to be a master copier. I remember liking a particular Matisse piece one afternoon and decided that that was what I wanted to draw. The first imagine I started with water colors. The proportions weren't right, and I got frustrated (yes, I've always been a perfectionist), so I moved to pencil and color pencil. I thought it turned out better that way. Now, the rejected one and the final are framed and hung next to each other. I like it that way.
Circa age 20. Ah, college and the required classes. Below is one of the first 'typographic' pieces I ever did. The class was Intro to Typography, and everything had to be done by hand. Color pencils used to be a good friend of mine. I will always love this piece.
I believe the sketch below was from an Advanced Life Drawing class. I remember we had to do a series of three 20 min. sketches. This was one of them. It's interesting looking at pieces and always getting the same reaction. The piece below always makes me want to take a life drawing class, just for the hell of it.
Monday, April 13, 2009
And My Heart Breaks
You know when you have a moment when you hear and/or see something, not necessarily meaning anything all, yet your heart cracks. You're saddened. Inquisitive. Pondering the meaning of why. Or rather, why not (me)? Or why the paths never completely line up together. With recent events, and so many friends in relationships and spring in full bloom, being single sometimes just isn't where you want to be. Seeing it all just kind of makes you want to vomit a little in your month. Don't get me wrong, I would love to be in a long term relationship again, but the idea of it now, I'm not so sure about. I can honestly think of only one person that if said they were down for a try, that I might actually be in. HA! Wouldn't that be funny. But really, I guess like the saying goes, you always want what you can't have. And I would consider distance in miles to be a factor of not being able to have. Bummer, but oh well, I suppose.
When it comes down to it though, relationship wise, today, I would probably choose a huge career leap vs a long term relationship. I think I need that more now than ever. It would make me happier. Success now. Love later. Unless the two could somehow be one....
On a completely different note. This morning I went to church. Catholic church. Flash back to Catholic school as a child, let me tell you. Anyways, I know right. What was I thinking? Well, I'll tell ya. 1_ I am visiting a friends family who attend church this weekend. 2_The other day I was watching the t.v. show '30 Days' on hulu. The episode was titled: 'Atheist / Christian'. It placed an Atheist in a Christian family and she had to participate in all their activities. It made me remember that it's always good to be excepting of other beliefs and the 'blessing' that we have a right to choose what we want to believe in.
Now, as many people close to me know, I've very non-religious. I think being a good person and doing good things is a better motto to live by. Let alone the fact that I like proof of things that exist. O.k. o.k., yes, I believe in the Universe and the theories around it. But I have to say, my proof of work is declaring to move half way around the world and then 3 months later doing just that.
But what I really wanted to comment today on my experience at Church. And man, if you're going to pick one day a year to attend church, what better day then when a 'mortal who died for our sins' was resurrected? Funny, because the priest mentioned how only a select few got to see him. Hmmm..... Makes ya think, doesn't it?
At the end of the service, a very sweet old women next to me started a brief conversation. It went something like this:
Old Lady: So what did you think of the service today?
Me: It was lovely. (Mustin't be rude now)
OL: I knew you would like it. (smile of excitement) I know you're not this religion, so you must be practicing something else?
M: Yeah, something like that. (after that I thought best to head out)
My first response was to say I don't believe in god. I'm agnostic. But I didn't think that would have gone down too well. And although I knew the prayers and motion from days back when (I went to Catholic school for good schoolings sake), I purposely chose not to go with the flow to 'fit in' today. It's not me, and even for an hour, I will not pretend. It's just not me. Done and don
When it comes down to it though, relationship wise, today, I would probably choose a huge career leap vs a long term relationship. I think I need that more now than ever. It would make me happier. Success now. Love later. Unless the two could somehow be one....
On a completely different note. This morning I went to church. Catholic church. Flash back to Catholic school as a child, let me tell you. Anyways, I know right. What was I thinking? Well, I'll tell ya. 1_ I am visiting a friends family who attend church this weekend. 2_The other day I was watching the t.v. show '30 Days' on hulu. The episode was titled: 'Atheist / Christian'. It placed an Atheist in a Christian family and she had to participate in all their activities. It made me remember that it's always good to be excepting of other beliefs and the 'blessing' that we have a right to choose what we want to believe in.
Now, as many people close to me know, I've very non-religious. I think being a good person and doing good things is a better motto to live by. Let alone the fact that I like proof of things that exist. O.k. o.k., yes, I believe in the Universe and the theories around it. But I have to say, my proof of work is declaring to move half way around the world and then 3 months later doing just that.
But what I really wanted to comment today on my experience at Church. And man, if you're going to pick one day a year to attend church, what better day then when a 'mortal who died for our sins' was resurrected? Funny, because the priest mentioned how only a select few got to see him. Hmmm..... Makes ya think, doesn't it?
At the end of the service, a very sweet old women next to me started a brief conversation. It went something like this:
Old Lady: So what did you think of the service today?
Me: It was lovely. (Mustin't be rude now)
OL: I knew you would like it. (smile of excitement) I know you're not this religion, so you must be practicing something else?
M: Yeah, something like that. (after that I thought best to head out)
My first response was to say I don't believe in god. I'm agnostic. But I didn't think that would have gone down too well. And although I knew the prayers and motion from days back when (I went to Catholic school for good schoolings sake), I purposely chose not to go with the flow to 'fit in' today. It's not me, and even for an hour, I will not pretend. It's just not me. Done and don
Monday, April 6, 2009
A Little Inspiration
Sometimes, when at a road block creatively, one must look for inspiration. Things that inspire both design and growth. And now, how easily accessable the internet has become, and how wide spread it can be, there is then, in turn, a vast amount of it out there. One site I found a few weeks ago is The Dieline. It's a site that focuses on packaging design, but my god, does it have some amazing stuff. And of course, makes me think that I have a long way to go if I want to be that good. I know, I know, I have always been my hardest critic. When I hit points of self judgement, I remember a few years back when 2 of my old design teachers told me that my greatest faults were being too hard on myself and not realizing I was/had the potential to be really good. They told me that once I got past that, that then, I could really shine. Let's just say, I'm getting there, in my own way.
Finally got the sewing machine to work properly. Needed a bobbin, and then I was good to go. I'd like to think the score now is, Me 1, Sewing Machine 1. It can only get better, right? HA! Not too much more left.... Then onto the dress!
Finally got the sewing machine to work properly. Needed a bobbin, and then I was good to go. I'd like to think the score now is, Me 1, Sewing Machine 1. It can only get better, right? HA! Not too much more left.... Then onto the dress!
Sewing Machine War
Finally, today of all days I am ready to sew and piece together my ever elusive skirt. One problem. My war with the sewing machine. Lamest thing ever if you ask me. Now I admit, it's been a damn long time since I touched one, and from my un-vivid memories, it wasn't such a complicated thing. You thread it, get some spare fabric (for testing), plug it in, and you're good to go. HA! If only it was that easy. Frustration is looming high over my head, and the only thing I can think of when trying to come down and think about the problem at hand, is how uncool it is to not be so easy. I've tried to work on other projects, because I should, but I just can't. That damn sewing machine is driving me nuts. And just at a time when I'm in the perfect state of mind to wrap this project up. Errr. Hopefully I will be victorious in my sewing machine war. For now though, the score is: Me 0, Sewing Machine 1. What a bummer.
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